I had my 25th birthday soirée when the place had just opened up back during the pandemic on Friday 12/11/2020( which was the day of my actual birthday). I had planned for larger event with 150+ guests prior to the pandemic and wasn't going to do it but I just went ahead and just did it and was going to have to downsize do to NY's banquet hall COVID constraints at the time. I was planning it from Texas because I lived there at the time and could not physically go there do to work constraints. I had originally found it on Craigslist through a listing and I was a bit skeptical by how nice the space was with the glass tables/chairs and the nice couches so I decided to call. My initial interaction was great. We texted then I called and then got a call back. We spoke for about 20 minutes she Just got me hype and was excited for me so I appreciated it. We talked and it seemed like a good deal. Booked in September 2020. I got the contract through email. One thing that was a bummer was that the party ended at 1 with the shut down beginning at 12am being that it was a residential area. I still went with it anyway and signed it because I had to change the whole event around and it fit. The payment process was cool. I sent my initial deposit of $350 then $350 through Cashapp 2 weeks later and the last remaining portion 3 weeks before the event. With the second $350 I had a car accident the same week and Lisa was very accommodating and allowed me to push back the next payment. 3 weeks before the event, I sent my last payment and couldn't find a event decorator in time so I looked through her add-ons and decors and she worked very well with me to design it. So we were good to go. Fast forward to the day of: Lisa was very attentive and called hours before to check on me, ask a few last details for set up and also wish me a Happy Birthday. I ran late to bring the food and drinks to the venue and the staff came to my rescue. Lisa also came to greet me. Was well dressed and also came to calm me down lol ( was lowkey breathing heavy going up and down the stairs). The event flowed smoothly. My family and friends loved the space and the ambience. The staff were very helpful. They helped set up the rest of the food and the extra decor I had. Only other issues I had which wasn't a big deal was the guest of honor chair that was set up for me. I came the day before to do a first and final tour of the venue and I had chose a black loveseat to match my new theme and when I got there I got a throne chair. It wasn't bad but not what I asked for but whatever. And if we stood past 1 am it would be an extra charge. Everything was great and was set up beautifully. Simple, sleek and elegant. They made my 25th special and I'll never forget it ! Thanks once again Lisa and staff ! read more

I was here for a baby shower and had a good time. When you arrive here, there are a set of stairs that lead to the event space itself. The space can easily hold at least 25 people. Perfect space for a birthday party or baby shower. I personally wouldn't have my own event here because it's distant from Brooklyn. More than likely me coming here was a one time thing. read more

This I must say is the worst customer service I have ever encountered. This establishment is worried about money and not the patrons. I recently had my daughter's sweet sixteen this past Sunday 10/12/2025. Talking to Lisa is the worst and almost non existent unless you are speaking money. We had our event planned for 7pm. We were told our vendors can come at 5 the earliest to set up because there was an event prior to hours. My decor team and DJ arrived at 5 in the pouring rain only to come to locked doors and no lights on being denied entry. When reached out to Lisa to ask can my team and dj in, we were told to stand in the rain until 6pm. When asked can we at least put stuff in the lobby so stuff would not get wet we were still told no. After asking over and over finally close to 6 pm the dj n vendor were allowed to placed their products and equipment and the bottom of the steps. Smh. Now when reaching the venue after 6 to begin set up nothing was prepared just chairs and tables. No chafer sets to put food out nothing. I will not recommend this venue to a soul. Lisa in my opinion speaks stern and very rude. Reaching out to her is difficult because you receive responses later. New management would not be a bad idea. The only nice staff in the establishment was the security team. read more

We celebrated my daughter's Sweet 16 at Dear Harlem last weekend, and everything was Perfect. The staff was very attentive, professional, and friendly. An A plus to Liz the bartender read more

Dear Harlem - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - New York, New York

This place is beautiful but this is not the place to have a event if you want something elegant. 1. Lisa is very unprofessional and is very hard to communicate with her she do not respond right away 2. They turn off the music a hour before your event is over and they immediately start cleaning and breaking down the decoration as your guests is still enjoying there self and mingling. Lisa tries to defend this situation but it is absolutely bullshit it is very awkward to have no music and you have a Hour left no other venue does such a thing as that. I was so embarrassed when my guest kept asking me what happened to the music I thought the event is over in another hour. And then the staff is just cleaning and throwing everything away as my guests is still their which make people feel very uncomfortable and make them feel like they need to leave the premises. 3. When you provide ice For your event which goes in the cooler you also have to take the cooler down too stories of steps to dump the ice outside I was not aware of this until the day of my event when the bartender told me that this is a procedure I have to do before I leave because The venue do not have a Darin. Imagine a hour before your event is over and you have to ask people to help you down steps to dump ice it is very embarrassing specially since the place gives off a very elegant vibe. 4. Lisa staff is not allowed to help you up the steps with any of your food or decoration or anything else you have for your event which is absolutely ridiculous being that you have to go up two flights of steps to get to the venue. So if you're planning On having a event there make sure you have a group of people to help you up the steps As much as I'd like to support black owned business I found myself to always be very disappointed this place can be so much better than what it is. But if you're ever looking for a great event in Harlem I would suggest the grand slam banquet hall. You definitely will not be disappointed with the service they have an elevator they have a kitchen they have a ice machine the Decor is absolutely beautiful and you were definitely get your money worth!!! read more

We had a great time celebrating my niece's Sweet 16 this past weekend. A few of us arrived an hour prior to the event to set up. It was enough time for us since we had included add ons. The clean up was done by the staff. We had no issues despite some of the reviews. The staff was attentive and helpful throughout the night. A big thanks to the entire team. read more

You can miss this spot if you walk fast. I rented Dear Harlem on 339 115th . The place was beautiful, the ambiance was nice and sexy. One of the reasons why I choose Dear Harlem, is because, I love supporting and giving my hard earned money to my people, black people. However I see why some people wrote bad reviews. I couldn't believe the way the owner texted me back very rude! When I asked a question, as if I was bothering her, So for the dessert table you get to have the birthday persons name spelled out. In lights under the tableMy partners name is Rell and the owner called me and told she doesn't have to L's so I would have to pay and extra $75 to get another L, she told me that she would haft to buy the extra L and put it in a UBER?? Why should I pay for the Uber? I asked. Why would the letter haft to come in a Uber when she and her staff would be at the place during the party? I also thought it was weird that she only gave me an hour to set up the space. Then I figured she only gives people and hour to set up because we didn't want to pay her to decorate. It would be impossible to put food together and decorate with only an hour! I had to ask some of the guests to help me. Prior to that I asked her if I can just get a extra half hour she told me $75 bucks! Is this how you treat people, your people Some of her staff was RUDE! I will continue to support black owned business's, just not hers. read more

The event space is very beautiful. The crew is soo helpful and makes clean up a breeze . Everything was sooo nice ! But Lisa the owners was very rude had an event she stopped the music and made everyone leave was rushed out it doesn't make an hour to clean up we cleaned up within 20 mins also had 15 minutes to spare but was rudely rushed out . I would never book again due to that . The event space is very beautiful but you will be rushed out for her next event !! read more

The space as a whole is a wonderful place to host an event. The owner on the other hand didn't really allow my family and I to fully enjoy the event that was thrown. Our booking time was 10am-5pm. Prior to 4pm she was requesting The music be shut off and was calling for the deconstruction of our decor. We looked beyond her ever changing price list for add-ons and willingly paid all fees required in a timely manner. The very least she could have done was give us our moment to enjoy it all. Moving forward I would not use her services again or recommend anyone else to. Professionalism and common courtesy goes a long way. Ms. Lisa seemed to lack both. read more

Pros: I came from Va. to get married and had my wedding reception here I did a virtual tour prior to coming about 5/6 months in advanced. I really loved how spacious it was. The rose wall, and the photo booth, along with the welcome mirror added a wonderful touch. The photo booth was a big hit since it allowed you to text the pic right away with a personalized boarder. There was no need for a DJ since there is bluetooth connectivity. A store that sold ice was right next door. I was even able to make payment installments which was great. Cons: The plastic/glass that went over the LOVE table was scratched up and wasn't sturdy. When I asked if I could come in the day before my wedding to decorate the tables, I was told no (didn't want to pay the $600+ for table decorations so I had my own). The only option that was provided to me was to come the day of my wedding at 10am (which was prep time for me the Bride to get ready for my wedding that started at 12pm) and pay an extra $125 for an hour to set up. I was willing to pay $125 to set up my own table decorations at 8am or 9 am the same day and even offered to pay more if I could come the day before or earlier the same day if needed, but Lisa shut me down on all the options I suggested. I even had my mom call 3 months in advanced to see if anything changed but nope she just wouldn't allow me to setup even though the space was already prepared for my event 4 days before so it's not like I would have been interrupting someone else event. Lisa did absolutely nothing to accommodate me, she had a cocky attitude, but became nicer when she got the final payment. I ended up paying for movers to help bring up my table decorations but luckily my wedding guest actually helped me set up the table decor which still turned out to be a success. Lisa, I know it's your business and you run it how you want but you need to be more accommodating. I wish I would have known this before signing the contract but you live and you learn. For those out of town planning an event be sure to get clarity on everything. read more